THE future is bright for youngsters at Bolton Parish Church CE Primary which has been marked good by school inspectors — a grade it last received eight years ago.

Inspectors found that the school in the Haulgh has undergone a transformation where pupils are said to enjoy going to school and results are higher than the national average.

The recent Ofsted report marks a turnaround in its fortunes after the school was ranked satisfactory and then in need of improvement since March, 2011. In September, 2014, teachers from St Paul's CE Primary School in Astley Bridge, which is graded outstanding, were drafted in to raise standards.

Debra Meekings, headteacher of Bolton Parish Church CE Primary, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Ofsted has recognised all our achievements as a good school across the board and really proud of the fantastic team of pupils, staff, parents and governors who have all worked tirelessly.

"We have a saying at Bolton Parish, 'Be Proud' , and we reinforce this message to the children each and every day with the use of 'Proud Cards' that highlight super behaviour and a super smart attitude to learning.

"The whole school culture has been transformed and since being seconded from Forward As One C of E Academy Trust — St Paul’s Multi-Academy Trust — and taking up post in September, 2014.

"We have been on an incredible journey, putting children’s needs at the centre of everything we do and ensuring that any decisions are based upon what will have the most positive impact on pupil outcomes. "This belief and very high, consistent expectations of children which Ofsted found to be 'children whose starting points are generally lower than those typically found for this age'. is at the heart of our success and why we now have, as Ofsted concluded, a 'higher than average proportion of pupils who reach nationally expected standards by the time they leave school'."

Ofsted found that the "the support of St Paul’s Multi Academy trust has been pivotal in the school’s improvement".

Inspectors said that "weak teaching" had been eradicated and "most pupils are self-assured and confident learners", adding the "vast majority of pupils are really keen to learn."

Children will soon look forward to being taught in a new school building after the school was awarded a slice of £2 billion of government funding.

Miss Meekings said: "At Bolton Parish Church School the children are a pleasure to teach and I am delighted that Ofsted has endorsed all our hard work.

"I am extremely proud to lead this rapidly improving and “good” school forward and continue on this exciting journey. We can’t wait to face the next challenges that the future holds."